Exhaust gas purifier

ABSTRACT

A combined muffler and exhaust gas purifier for internal combustion engines, in particular those for automotive vehicles. The exhaust gas is piped into the muffler casing which is filled with a porous or fibrous material, and repeatedly passed through such material to extract dust and other contaminants. The filtering material is continuously impregnated with an oxidizing and de-odorizing fluid which simultaneously with filtering, oxidizes or otherwise chemically treats dangerous ingredients of the exhaust gas and de-odorizes them. Automatically operated valve means controls the feeding of the fluid.

United States Patent m1 Scott Nov. 13, 1973 1 EXHAUST GAS PUR'IFlER [76]Inventor: George H. Scott, 2635 Midlothian Pike, Apt. 19, Richmond, Va.23224 [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 196,373

[52] U.S. Cl. 60/297, 55/90, 55/233,

55/D1G. 30, 60/310, 60/311, 181/36 C, 181/50 [51] Int. Cl. F0ln 3/04[58] Field of Search 60/310, 311, 299,

60/297, 290, 317, 294, 287; 55/D1G. 30, 90, 233; 23/288 F; 181/50, 53,54, 36C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,737,260 3/1956 Jenison60/311 3,100,376 8/1963 Potter 60/310 3,548,591 12/1970 McKay 60/3111,759,679 5/1930 Backman 181/53 1,988,048 1/1935 Peik 181/54 2,614,64710/1952 Bryant.. 23/288 F 2,773,735 12/1956 Ruth 23/288 F 2,787,1194/1957 Giambruno... 60/310 2,918,789 12/1959 Sivesind 60/294 3,383,8545/1968 White 60/287 3,460,901 8/1969 Massa.... 60/274 3,633,343 1/1972Mark 55/1316. 30

Primary Examiner-Douglas Hart Attorney-Elizabeth Newton Dew ABSTRACT Acombined muffler and exhaust gas purifier for internal combustionengines, in particular those for automotive vehicles. The exhaust gas ispiped into the muffler casing which is filled with a porous or fibrousmaterial, and repeatedly passed through such material to extract dustand other contaminants. The filtering material is continuouslyimpregnated with an oxidizing and de-odorizing fluid whichsimultaneously with filtering, oxidizes or otherwise chemically treatsdangerous ingredients of the exhaust gas and de-odorizes them.Automatically operated valve means controls the feeding of the fluid.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUNHV 13 ms 3; 771. 31 5 INVENTORGEORGE H. SCOTT BY [@ww WQ M 2w ATTORNEY EXHAUST GAS PURIFIER BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an exhaust system of generalapplication but particularly useful for vehicles and air and water craftpropelled by internal combustion engines.

The concern of the public and government officials over the presentpollution of the atmosphere, is due in large part to the vast volume ofexhaust fumes emitted from the millions of automotive vehicles presentlyusing the highways. The problem is aggravated by the rapidly increasingnumber of air and powerpropelled water craft. It has been estimated thatat least 50 percent of the pollution causing smog, dust and aircontamination dangerous to health, is created by emissions from suchvehicles and craft.

While scientists and inventors have spent much time and thought onsolution of the problem of the present intolerable pollution of theatmosphere as it presently exists in, around and over urban areas of thecountry, there has to date been no really satisfactory solution short ofthe addition to automotive vehicles of accessories and equipment whichare not only expensive to manufacture and install but excessivelycomplicated and difficult to service as well. Not only do suchaccessories and equipment add several hundreds of dollars to the initialcost of the vehicle but requiring, as they do, frequent servicing, arelargely ignored by the average motor vehicle owner or operator. Theproblem grows more acute daily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the chief purpose and object of thisinvention to provide a combined muffler and exhaust gas cleaner andpurifier which solves the problem of contamination of the atmospherefrom and by the exhaust gases emitted by internal combustion engines, inparticular, those of automotive vehicles.

Another object is to provide apparatus as in the preceding paragraph,which is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and install andwhich may be used instead of, or as a replacement for the conventionalmufflers of existing automotive vehicles.

A still further object is to provide a combined muffler and exhaust gaspurifier which can be made in a form providing readily replaceable partssuch, for instance as the materials thereof and therein which absorb,treat or retain the pollutant elementsof exhaust gases.

Yet another object is the provision of a product as aforesaid, equippedwith an auxiliary feed thereto for liquids andi/or pulverulent-likematerials which chemically or otherwise treat, absorb and purify theexhaust fumes from an internal combustion engine, and townder themessentially harmless when passed into the atmosphere.

A still further object is to provide a combined muffler and exhaust gaspurifier which employs as the cleaning agent or agents, materialsreadily available in the'market and at reasonably low cost.

Another object is to provide a product as in the preceding paragraphs,which can be manufactured and installed at relatively low cost, whichis-efiicient for its intended purpose, has a minimum of replaceableparts, and is a general advance in the art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear to thoseskilled in the art, following a study of the following detaileddescription, in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showingthe invention with inlet and exhaust pipe connections and fluid purifiersupply means;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section to an enlarged scale, in a planeidentified by line 2 2, FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical central longitudinal section through the casing,taken in a plane identified by line 3 3, FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in detail to thedrawing, 1 identifies generally a metallic casing of sheet metal such aslow carbon, or stainless steel, generally parallelepipedal in form andas shown in transverse section upon FIG. 2.

A pipe 2 is detachably connected with an opening in end wall 3 of thecasing near the top, and at its other end is detachably connected withthe exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, not shown. The otherend wall 4, FIG. 3, of the casing has an opening at or near its loweredge, through which passes a pipe 5 for exhaust from, the casing, ofpurified gases. The pipes 2 and 5 at the locations where they passthrough the respective end walls, are sealed thereto by conventionaldisconnectable glands, not shown, and which enable the casing to bereadily separated from the pipes when it is desired or necessary toremove the casing for renewal, reconditioning or replacement of thecleaning and filtering materials therein. Alternatively, well knownflanged separable couplings may be interposed in each pipe adjacent andexternally of the casing, for the same purpose. In the latter case thepipe section may be welded to the end walls of the casing at thelocations where they pass therethrough. A pair of removableshock-absorbing straps, not shown, may surround the casing, spacedlongitudinally thereof, and mount it to or upon the frame or chassis ofthe vehicle.

Within the casing are located transverse, longitudinally-spaced parallelmetallic plates 8 and 9 which may be secured to casing l by spot weldingat and along their edges. The plates are foraminous or pierced with alarge number of regularly-spaced holes which permit the free flow of gasthrough them, substantially without restriction. Apart from the holesthe plates are provided with aligned openings which receive and supportthose portions of pipes 2 and 5 within the casing, as well as a shortersection of pipe 7. I

As seen in FIG. 3, pipe 7 is of lesser length than the distance betweenthe end walls of the casing, and has its ends spaced from them. Pipes 2,5 and 7 may have a press fit within the openings in plates 8 and 9. Orthey may be spot welded thereto. Where flanged or like separablecouplings are provided for pipes 2 and 5 at and near the exteriorsurfaces of end walls 3 and 4, respectively, the muffler-purifier may bemanufactured as an integral unitary item, readily detached, repaired andreplaced.

The interior of easing l is filled with fibrous material of steel wooland fiberglass, loosely packed in such a manner, as will be subsequentlyexplained, that all exhaust gas must pass repeatedly therethrough beforeexit from the casing by way of pipe 5.

A tank 10, FIG. 1, of suitable form and volume has a removable filleropening cap 11. An outlet pipe 12 extends from the bottom of the tank,to a valve 13 which when open, permits the controlled fluid from thetank at a selected rate. An outlet pipe 14 connects the valve with anopening through the top wall of easing 1 so that when the valve is open,liquid may flow into the casing and impregnate the fibrous materialtherewithin.

It is contemplated that tank may be located under the front seat cushionof the vehicle or, alternatively, on the forward side of the fire wallof the engine compartment. Other suitable or convenient locations arecomtemplated. While it is within the purview of the invention to makevalve 13 manually openable and adjustable, by a remote-control flexiblecable operated from a position convenient to the drivers seat of thevehicle, it is also contemplated that this .valve may be of thenormally-closed, solenoid-operated type. In the latter case the solenoidwill. 'be energized by and through the secondary of a relay .the primaryof which will be in series or parallel circuit with the primary of theengines ignition system. Thus the valve will automatically close at alltimes when the engine is not running. But as soon as its ignition switchis closed, the solenoid will be energized and the valve opened. Ifdesired, a speed-responsive device such as one built into the vehicle'sspeedometer, may operate a variable resistance in series with the valvesolenoid circuit so that in this way the rate of feed of fluid from tank10 to casing 1 will be in direct ratio to the speed or r.p.m. of theengine.

The fibrous filtering material generally indicated at 14, within thecasing, has been previously mentioned.-

thereto as by bolts and interfitting flanges, so that when.

the casing is removed from the vehicle, the spent material therein maybe readily renewed.

OPERATION Assuming valve 13 to be automatically controlled, it opens assoon as the driver closes the ignition switch of the engine, preparatoryto starting. Liquid which may be an oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxidesolution, and- /or a de-odorizer such as the preparation sold under thetrade name Wisk, begins to flow into the muffler and permeates thefibrous material therein. When the engine starts, exhaust gasestherefrom pass into the casing through the open end of pipe 2 and amultiplicity of perforations in its side walls within the casing,traverses the fibrous material therein and exits by way of pipe 5through its open left end and a multiplicity of perforations in its sidewalls. The flow of exhaust gas assists by aspiration in creating asteady flow of liquid from tank In its passage through the fibrousmaterial, the gas is cleaned of dust and carbon monoxide and therebypurified and rendered essentially less harmful when inhaled into thelungs. The intermediate pipe 7 which may likewise have a multiplicity ofperforations in and through its side walls, is not filled with fibrousmaterial but to the contrary, remains open and unobstructed and thusoperates to reduce to a negligible value, back pressure generated withinthe muffler, in particular when the material becomes partially cloggedwith dust, dirt and other accretions. The steel wool not only assists infiltering and purifying the exhaust gas, it also plays a very importantrole in maintaining the fiberglass in proper position within the casing,and in preventing it from being blown out through pipe 5. Whenautomatic, speed-responsive control of valve 13 is provided, the rate offlow of liquid from tank 10, into the muffler casing, is varied inproportion to the speed of the engine and, in normal driving, to thespeed of the vehicle. Since the exhaust gas rate of flow is generallydirectly proportional to the speed of the engine, the aforesaidaspiration effect may supplement or replace the necessity for automaticcontrol of valve 13 in response to engine speed. 3

While I have disclosed the invention as presently preferred by me,numerous changes in shapes, arrangements and relations of parts, as wellas substitutions of equivalents will readily occur to those skilled inthe art, after a study of the foregoing disclosure. Hence the disclosureis to be taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a muffler and exhaust gas purifying apparatus for aninternal'combustion engine, a casing including first and second spacedparallel end walls, first conduit means conducting exhaust gas into saidcasing and comprising a first pipe extending through said first end walland terminating in an open end adjacent said second end wall, secondconduit means conducting exhaust gas from said casing and comprising asecond pipe extending through said second end wall and terminating in anopen end adjacent said first end wall, fibrous filtering materialdisposed in and essentially filling said casing, and means external ofsaid casing for supplying exhaust gas treating fluidjto said casing andthe filtering material therein, said first and second pipes being freeinternally, of filtering material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said filtering material comprising a firstmass of steel wool and a second mass of fiberglass, said masses beingdiscrete and having an interface between said end walls, essentiallyparallel therewith, said first mass being adjacent to said first endwall, said second mass being adjacent to said second end wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, and a third conduit means comprising athird pipe entirely within said casing, between said first and saidsecond pipes, and having its open ends adjacent and spaced from saidfirst and second end walls, respectively, said third pipe being freeinternally of filtering material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said interface between i the discretemasses of filtering material within said casing being essentially in aplane normal to and between the ends of said third pipe.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, each said first, second and third pipeshaving a multiplicity of holes piercing its side walls within saidcasing, each said hole being sufficiently small to prevent the passageof filtering material therethrough.

# i I II

1. In a muffler and exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internalcombustion engine, a casing including first and second spaced parallelend walls, first conduit means conducting exhaust gas into said casingand comprising a first pipe extending through said first end wall andterminating in an open end adjacent said second end wall, second conduitmeans conducting exhaust gas from said casing and comprising a secondpipe extending through said second end wall and terminating in an openend adjacent said first end wall, fibrous filtering material disposed inand essentially filling said casing, and means external of said casingfor supplying exhaust gas treating fluid to said casing and thefiltering material therein, said first and second pipes being freeinternally, of filtering material.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, saidfiltering material comprising a first mass of steel wool and a secondmass of fiberglass, said masses being discrete and having an interfacebetween said end walls, essentially parallel therewith, said first massbeing adjacent to said first end wall, said second mass being adjacentto said second end wall.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, and a thirdconduit means comprising a third pipe entirely within said casing,between said first and said second pipes, and having its open endsadjacent and spaced from said first and second end walls, respectively,said third pipe being free internally of filtering material.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, said interface between the discrete masses offiltering material within said casing being essentially in a planenormal to and between the ends of said third pipe.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 3, each said first, second and third pipes having a multiplicityof holes piercing its side walls within said casing, each said holebeing sufficiently small to prevent the passage of filtering materialtherethrough.